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Not sure if Tech or FS starting here. Narrowed down my battery drain to the drivers seat control module and finding prices all over the place. Would like recommendations to reputable place to buy a used or NOS (if such a thing exists) for the drivers side. Any recommendations for a good online shop vs chances with eBay?
Thanks for all the great advice received so far....
Not sure if Tech or FS starting here. Narrowed down my battery drain to the drivers seat control module and finding prices all over the place. Would like recommendations to reputable place to buy a used or NOS (if such a thing exists) for the drivers side. Any recommendations for a good online shop vs chances with eBay?
Thanks for all the great advice received so far....
Your chances of finding NOS is as good as anyone else by searching. If you go the ebay route, only buy from 100% sellers. Dino's and Corvette recyclers have good used parts. Make sure you order the exact p/n number on your SCM.
I have seen many more multi-function seat switches cause this issues than SCM, but it sounds like you are confident in the diagnosis.
I have my other thread showing how I narrowed it down. Nutshell had a draw of 900 milliamps, narrowed down to the number 4 fuse caused it to drop to 30 milliamp. No issues with battery drain now since pulled that fuse. 4 on the fuse block shows
4 Driver Seat Control Module
Basing it on this. Is the multi function seat switch the same as the drivers seat control module? Sounds like it? Appreciate any and all help!
I have my other thread showing how I narrowed it down. Nutshell had a draw of 900 milliamps, narrowed down to the number 4 fuse caused it to drop to 30 milliamp. No issues with battery drain now since pulled that fuse. 4 on the fuse block shows
4 Driver Seat Control Module
Basing it on this. Is the multi function seat switch the same as the drivers seat control module? Sounds like it? Appreciate any and all help!
No the switch and module are not the same. I assume you already know pulling fuses can be problematic if you do not observe the BCM wake/sleep cycles.
I also should have clarified, you do have memory seats? Telescoping steering wheel? ....or just power seats?
Want to make sure I am ordering the right part, looking at images from the bottom of the seat looks like just one rectangular for the module vs the seat controls. Much appreciate the guidance.
Want to make sure I am ordering the right part, looking at images from the bottom of the seat looks like just one rectangular for the module vs the seat controls. Much appreciate the guidance.
No offense, but there is not anything documented in that thread that tells me you isolated the current draw to anything but a fuse.
So if you do not have memory, then you do not have an SCM , rather it should have a " Seat Relay". They look similar, but the label on the unit either says "SCM" or " Seat Relay" .
How did you determine what was causing the current draw? It could be a stuck switch, relay, or motor issue? How did you isolate?
Do yourself a favor, and at least confirm the part number on the unit under your seat.
No offense, but there is not anything documented in that thread that tells me you isolated the current draw to anything but a fuse.
So if you do not have memory, then you do not have an SCM , rather it should have a " Seat Relay". They look similar, but the label on the unit either says "SCM" or " Seat Relay" .
How did you determine what was causing the current draw? It could be a stuck switch, relay, or motor issue? How did you isolate?
Do yourself a favor, and at least confirm the part number on the unit under your seat.
No offense taken at all, I read and watched plenty of video's on parasitic draw and after going through pulling each fuse one at a time and replacing the draw went down from 900 milliamp to 30 milliamp when I pulled the fuse for the drivers seat control module (as listed on the fuse block). Understand I may have a relay vs a module thank you for that education.
I did put the fuse back in and tested the rest of the fuses, nothing changed from 900 milliamp until I went back and pulled the #4 fuse for the above, back to 30 milliamp.
Warming up here and I have 2 weeks before I get really busy every weekend and most nights with my spring sports photography, my side hustle. Hopefully I can pull the seat and test/confirm the relay/module part number.
Greatly appreciate the guidance, advice and schematic above! Soon will be testing why the drivers side door lock will not lock with the switch nor with the key fob. Passenger side works fine. Door control module, connections behind the door skin or in the door or elsewhere.
Last edited by OSUC5Vette; Feb 24, 2025 at 10:18 AM.
Reason: adding quote
No offense taken at all, I read and watched plenty of video's on parasitic draw and after going through pulling each fuse one at a time and replacing the draw went down from 900 milliamp to 30 milliamp when I pulled the fuse for the drivers seat control module (as listed on the fuse block). Understand I may have a relay vs a module thank you for that education.
I did put the fuse back in and tested the rest of the fuses, nothing changed from 900 milliamp until I went back and pulled the #4 fuse for the above, back to 30 milliamp.
The only way this works is if you are recognizing the BCM sleep threshold. So if you have a consistent current draw, you have to take the measurement with everything off and doors closed. Once the BCM goes to sleep, that is your total draw. If that is excessive, you can pull the fuse of concern, close the doors, wait for the BCM to sleep again, and see what the draw is.
The only way this works is if you are recognizing the BCM sleep threshold. So if you have a consistent current draw, you have to take the measurement with everything off and doors closed. Once the BCM goes to sleep, that is your total draw. If that is excessive, you can pull the fuse of concern, close the doors, wait for the BCM to sleep again, and see what the draw is.
you described exactly what I did thanks for validating!
Your issue is probably not the Seat Relay Module. It is probably the seat controls on the side. Over the years, there are many instances where water or other liquids can have gotten into the switches and have caused a short for one of the adjusters causing the current draw. Seen it many times. A check for this would be trying to move the seat in each direction noting which position does not seem to work or if the seat moves back after putting it into another position.
Your issue is probably not the Seat Relay Module. It is probably the seat controls on the side. Over the years, there are many instances where water or other liquids can have gotten into the switches and have caused a short for one of the adjusters causing the current draw. Seen it many times. A check for this would be trying to move the seat in each direction noting which position does not seem to work or if the seat moves back after putting it into another position.
Gary
I will check that this weekend, I bought it on NYE, drove home and parked it. I did adjust the seat prior to test drive and driving home don't recall anything not working. Appreciate the recommendation.
Finally nice enough to do more checking on the seat controls.
Seat moves in all directions fine and holds. The air bladder controls are non functioning on drivers seat. Work great on passenger side. Also figired out i do have memory seats was thrown off by the telescoping wheel question. 98 did not offer telescoping wheel in my research.
Now to figure out if the lumbar seat control or the seat control module. Perhaps nedd to pull seat and check the controls better.
Last edited by OSUC5Vette; Mar 31, 2025 at 10:18 AM.
So appreciate this forum, assuming I need to pull apart the seat to determine why the air bladder not working or if the controls are bad, Either way seat comes out.
Glad to hear from anyone that can advise if the lack of the controls for the air bladders not working on the side controls could be the parasitic draw I am encountering. Still have the fuse out but need to get it back to full functions so I can move the seat. May just go route of replacing module to start and see if that resolves as an easier and not overly expensive repair before I tackle taking the seat and air bladder apart.
1998 SEAT CONTROL MODULE replacement needed
